After the Feb. 28 airstrike on Iran, gas prices are shooting rocket high. Prices have gone up because of simple

supply and demand rules, and at NS staff and students are feeling the effects.

“We have a certain supply of gas. Now, because of Iran, that's been restricted,” financial literacy teacher

Sterling Whipple said. “As the supply decreases, the demand is now higher relative to the supply, which means prices have to go up.”

Furthermore, Sanpete county is one of the most impoverished counties in the state. If the prices are

constantly fluctuating, that could negatively affect its small businesses and neighbors with low incomes.

“So, in high poverty counties like Sanpete, spikes in prices can definitely have a long-term effect if they hang

around too long,” Whipple said.

With the recent increase in gas prices, a lot of families can not afford gas. One individual recalled that their

monthly gas expenses increased for roughly $250 to over $300 in gas alone. The extra money going towards that fund each month is unaffordable for impoverished communities- such as ours. That does not take into account funding for if a family has more than one car.

Not only have the gas prices gone up significantly but they continue to rise.

“I think you could see it $4.50 or $5 for regular,” teacher Tyler Bailey said. “Diesel might get to, I would say six

or seven [dollars].”

Furthermore, monthly necessities will also increase in price because they need to be transported as well. The

economy we live in can be unaffordable for a family to manage because of necessary costs such as gas, food, any goods, etc.

“Everything is gonna go up because everything we use usually is transported and the gas goes up,” Bailey

said.

However, on the other hand Whipple believes it is important to budget at the beginning of every month. This

could cause less bongage in debt and financial stress.

“The gas prices are $1.50 higher this month so we’ll just have to allocate a little bit more money,” Whipple said.

With the high gas prices many Americans must become familiarized with the concept of budgeting. The

economy poses a threat because of the uncomfortable spot people find themselves in financially. Without a full understanding on budgeting and finances people often get themselves into debt. “I think it could potentially increase debt loads amongst our neighbors which is a concern because debt, like I said, is a bondage,” Whipple said.

When the economy gets more expensive, the consequences are felt by everyone, but especially those

without reliable incomes. It can be hard to make it to sporting and social events when it costs more as time goes on.

“I’ve tried to drive a little bit less so that I am more conservative of my gas,” junior Reagan Anderson said.